Investigative Journalist (Part-time Job)

In our previous ad last summer, we were looking for students; little did we know then that we would receive applications from professional journalists affected by the reduction in press support here and there. It's certainly great for Cigarrklubben that skilled, experienced journalists want to work for us by the hour. But perhaps not so good from a democracy perspective.

And with the aim of further eroding democracy, we thought we'd see if we can cannibalize on the layoffs at SvD and Aftonbladet. We cannot offer you a full-time position, but surely a few hours here and there until you find something else.

We do not call ourselves alternative media, as that requires an already existing narrative where one is the alternative. Investigations about the cigar industry were lacking before we arrived, so we refer to ourselves with the self-composed term completive media. Which we hope makes it into this year's list of new words. We run the blog Cigarrvärlden, which is found on our website, and is operated with a publishing certificate.

You are interested in investigative journalism; the format is of lesser interest (podcast, articles, etc.). Have a solid inner moral compass and believe that truth is more important than spin. You have a sense of justice and a feel for fair play. You are also quick-witted, or rather quick with the pen.

You are also okay with writing anonymously; it is very controversial (professional pride, honor, und so weiter), but we have faced threats that are escalating. The fewer employees who are known, the fewer to protect. We have a fairly large security apparatus behind us, for a baroquely small operation. But we are very particular about security, for both staff and members; it comes first. You need to be able to live with that type of restrictions. It should be added that we are in the process of leaving anonymity now, as we have grown and gained international impact with one of our investigations, such things are diminishing, of course it can change, but ultimately you need to live with the fact that you do not make the decision about being anonymous or not.

We have no opinions whatsoever about your political affiliation; we mix wildly. You can be bluer than the train, or redder than Mao. We are, however, completely apolitical; we basically only look at how the tobacco law is structured and how it is complied with. We have no opinions on its design. Because that is politics.

If you are someone who can discuss politics without coming across as unpleasant and sometimes feel alone in the opinion that your party is acting foolishly on a specific issue, then you fit in well. If you always toe the party line regardless of the issue and regardless of party affiliation, then you do not belong with us. Incidentally, it is, like, thanks to those who consistently toe the party line that people like Hitler come to power. If that weren't enough, consistently holding tightly to an ideology is about as smart as claiming that paracetamol is the only medicine needed because it cures all diseases.

We want thinking individuals who can stand by uncomfortable opinions and don't mind being misunderstood for long periods of time.

Smoking cigars is not a merit at all. Quite the opposite; you don't even need to particularly like the tobacco industry; it's not that kind of issue.

You will be paid by the hour. The work is mostly remote.

Recruiters need not get in touch.

We are by no means a gentlemen's club and are not particularly fond of boyishness. Your personality as an applicant is decisive. Your gender is not.

We do not accept visitors. Physically submitted applications will be discarded. Applications that do not meet the requirements, formalities, etc. are discarded immediately, without response or follow-up. Keep that in mind; we receive loads of responses. You don't need to be fancy to stand out. It's enough if you follow the formal requirements; then you've already beaten 90%. They don't even bother reading this far to catch that. You should be able to figure out the formal requirements on your own.

To any young people applying, you are welcome. But responding something like "I'm having coffee with a friend, can you call later?" when you receive a follow-up call on your application is relatively unimpressive.